‘The Last of Us’ Wins Award for Best Portrayal of Trans People

LOS ANGELES, CA - Following the season two finale, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awarded HBO’s hit show The Last of Us multiple awards for its outstanding portrayal of transgender people.

“The Last of Us has truly broken the barriers of television and set a new standard for the portrayal of LGBTQIA+ individuals,” Academy President Janet Yang said. “From Frank and Bill’s relationship in season one to Ellie miraculously becoming a father to her girlfriend’s adopted baby, and the transgender antagonists known as ‘clickers,’ the entire crew deserves endless praise and adulation for prioritizing gender equity in their apocalyptic saga.”

While the next Oscars ceremony isn’t until March 2026, the Academy’s board decided that The Last of Us’ portrayal of transgender people was so progressive and accurate that they had to honor the show nine months early.

Among the awards won were Best Makeup, Most Socially Progressive, and Gayest—a new category introduced specifically for The Last of Us.

At press time, director Craig Mazin hinted that season three will feature a new non-binary megamonster played by Rosie O’Donnell.